January 20, 2017 Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump
What did you think of the Inauguration Ceremony and President Trump's Inaugural Address? If this was designed to set the tone for his administration for the American people as well as the whole world, what tone did he set? What were the highlights? What points were best taken? What plans and goals are you most interested in? What references to American ideals, values, and history are made? Please be respectful.
New York Times Video of the Complete Ceremony
Inaugural Oath begins at about 21 minutes and 30 seconds.
His Inaugural Address begins at about 24 minutes, and is about 16 minutes long.
Link to the text of his Inaugural Address (Washington Post- also includes video of the speech only)
Background about the tradition of Presidential Inaugural Addresses from NEWSELA
Every presidential inauguration is a historic event. Beginning with George Washington, each U.S. president has brought a unique personal history and a different set of priorities to the nation’s highest office. In turn, each has put a distinctive stamp on the presidency, and on the nation itself. A close examination of previous presidential inaugurations can reveal how the United States has changed over the centuries. It can also provide unique insights into the remarkable individuals who served as president as they first stepped into history. Since George Washington's inauguration in 1789, the term of each American president has started with a single sentence: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Room For "Artistic Interpretation"
The authors of the Constitution did provide some room for "artistic interpretation," however. On March 4, 1853, Franklin Pierce became the only president to "affirm" instead of "swear" that he would protect and defend the Constitution. Although many promises are made as presidential candidates compete for votes, the oath is the first one that really counts. It transforms a citizen into a president and signals the beginning of a new administration. George Washington set the pattern for future presidents when he delivered the first inaugural address on April 30, 1789. Washington used the opportunity to discuss some of his positions, including his refusal to take a salary while in office.
Presidents Make Religious References
Washington's rejection of a salary did not become a common part of later inaugural addresses. However, his reference to a religious higher power did start a presidential trend: "It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe. ... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States." Religious references have appeared in almost every president's inaugural address since Washington. They have ranged from Thomas Jefferson's "Infinite Power" and Martin Van Buren's "Divine Being" to a mention of "Almighty God." The Bible used in George Washington's inaugural oath has appeared in other inaugurations. In his 1989 inaugural address, George Bush noted, "I have just repeated word for word the oath taken by George Washington 200 years ago, and the Bible on which I placed my hand is the Bible on which he placed his. It is right that the memory of Washington be with us today ... because Washington remains the Father of our Country. And he would, I think, be gladdened by this day — for today is the concrete expression of a stunning fact: our continuity these 200 years since our government began."
Transforming From A Citizen Into A President
The inaugural oath marks the transformation of a citizen into a president and the pressure to transform a campaign promise into an administrative policy. In his 1841 inaugural address, William Henry Harrison described the dangers a candidate faces after winning a presidential election: "Perhaps there may be some in this assembly who have come here either prepared to condemn those [proposals] I shall now deliver, or, approving them, to doubt the sincerity with which they are now uttered. But the lapse of a few months will confirm or dispel their fears. The outline of principles to govern and measures to be adopted by an Administration not yet begun will soon be exchanged for immutable history. ... I shall stand either exonerated by my countrymen or classed with the mass of those who promised that they might deceive and flattered with the intention to betray." Since Harrison passed away a month into his term, it is difficult to judge his administrative record but his point remains well-taken.
Grant Slammed His Critics
Before becoming president, Ulysses S. Grant had led the Union Army during the Civil War. During his inaugural address, he expressed his unhappiness with the way in which his critics had attacked him: "I did not ask for place or position ... but was resolved to perform my part in a struggle threatening the very existence of the nation. I performed a conscientious duty, without asking promotion or command, and without a revengeful feeling toward any section or individual. Notwithstanding this, throughout the war, and from my candidacy for my present office in 1868 to the close of the last Presidential campaign, I have been the subject of abuse and slander scarcely ever equaled in political history, which today I feel that I can afford to disregard in view of your verdict, which I gratefully accept as my vindication." While Grant felt that being chosen president proved the nation believed in him, history has not been kind. His two terms in office are generally considered to have been ineffective.
Clinton Promised Economic Improvement
Bill Clinton focused on economic issues in his inaugural address, demonstrating that changing times can lead to a change in emphasis. With the end of the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union, the centerpiece of Clinton's campaign was domestic policy. As a candidate, he promised such things as economic improvement and universal health care. Although these promises resulted in only modest change, many people believe that there was economic improvement while President Clinton was in office. On January 20, 2017, a new president will take the oath of office. What can we expect on that January day, and after it? What issues will be discussed in the inaugural address? What impact might the new president have on the nation? History suggests that though the players and the setting may change, some things will remain the same. We can look forward to continuing suspense, mystery, drama, comedy and tragedy in this participatory production, the governance of our nation.
January 20, 2017 Inauguration of President Donald J. Trump
What did you think of the Inauguration Ceremony and President Trump's Inaugural Address? If this was designed to set the tone for his administration for the American people as well as the whole world, what tone did he set? What were the highlights? What points were best taken? What plans and goals are you most interested in? What references to American ideals, values, and history are made? Please be respectful.
New York Times Video of the Complete Ceremony
Inaugural Oath begins at about 21 minutes and 30 seconds.
His Inaugural Address begins at about 24 minutes, and is about 16 minutes long.
Link to the text of his Inaugural Address (Washington Post- also includes video of the speech only)
Donald Trump's Inaugural Address- Full Text
Inaugural Address with Annotations from the New York Times
Background about the tradition of Presidential Inaugural Addresses from NEWSELA
Every presidential inauguration is a historic event.
Beginning with George Washington, each U.S. president has brought a unique personal history and a different set of priorities to the nation’s highest office. In turn, each has put a distinctive stamp on the presidency, and on the nation itself.
A close examination of previous presidential inaugurations can reveal how the United States has changed over the centuries. It can also provide unique insights into the remarkable individuals who served as president as they first stepped into history.
Since George Washington's inauguration in 1789, the term of each American president has started with a single sentence: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
Room For "Artistic Interpretation"
The authors of the Constitution did provide some room for "artistic interpretation," however. On March 4, 1853, Franklin Pierce became the only president to "affirm" instead of "swear" that he would protect and defend the Constitution.Although many promises are made as presidential candidates compete for votes, the oath is the first one that really counts. It transforms a citizen into a president and signals the beginning of a new administration.
George Washington set the pattern for future presidents when he delivered the first inaugural address on April 30, 1789. Washington used the opportunity to discuss some of his positions, including his refusal to take a salary while in office.
Presidents Make Religious References
Washington's rejection of a salary did not become a common part of later inaugural addresses. However, his reference to a religious higher power did start a presidential trend:"It would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe. ... No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States."
Religious references have appeared in almost every president's inaugural address since Washington. They have ranged from Thomas Jefferson's "Infinite Power" and Martin Van Buren's "Divine Being" to a mention of "Almighty God."
The Bible used in George Washington's inaugural oath has appeared in other inaugurations. In his 1989 inaugural address, George Bush noted,
"I have just repeated word for word the oath taken by George Washington 200 years ago, and the Bible on which I placed my hand is the Bible on which he placed his. It is right that the memory of Washington be with us today ... because Washington remains the Father of our Country. And he would, I think, be gladdened by this day — for today is the concrete expression of a stunning fact: our continuity these 200 years since our government began."
Transforming From A Citizen Into A President
The inaugural oath marks the transformation of a citizen into a president and the pressure to transform a campaign promise into an administrative policy. In his 1841 inaugural address, William Henry Harrison described the dangers a candidate faces after winning a presidential election:"Perhaps there may be some in this assembly who have come here either prepared to condemn those [proposals] I shall now deliver, or, approving them, to doubt the sincerity with which they are now uttered. But the lapse of a few months will confirm or dispel their fears. The outline of principles to govern and measures to be adopted by an Administration not yet begun will soon be exchanged for immutable history. ... I shall stand either exonerated by my countrymen or classed with the mass of those who promised that they might deceive and flattered with the intention to betray."
Since Harrison passed away a month into his term, it is difficult to judge his administrative record but his point remains well-taken.
Grant Slammed His Critics
Before becoming president, Ulysses S. Grant had led the Union Army during the Civil War. During his inaugural address, he expressed his unhappiness with the way in which his critics had attacked him:"I did not ask for place or position ... but was resolved to perform my part in a struggle threatening the very existence of the nation. I performed a conscientious duty, without asking promotion or command, and without a revengeful feeling toward any section or individual. Notwithstanding this, throughout the war, and from my candidacy for my present office in 1868 to the close of the last Presidential campaign, I have been the subject of abuse and slander scarcely ever equaled in political history, which today I feel that I can afford to disregard in view of your verdict, which I gratefully accept as my vindication."
While Grant felt that being chosen president proved the nation believed in him, history has not been kind. His two terms in office are generally considered to have been ineffective.
Clinton Promised Economic Improvement
Bill Clinton focused on economic issues in his inaugural address, demonstrating that changing times can lead to a change in emphasis. With the end of the Cold War between the U.S. and Soviet Union, the centerpiece of Clinton's campaign was domestic policy. As a candidate, he promised such things as economic improvement and universal health care. Although these promises resulted in only modest change, many people believe that there was economic improvement while President Clinton was in office.On January 20, 2017, a new president will take the oath of office. What can we expect on that January day, and after it? What issues will be discussed in the inaugural address? What impact might the new president have on the nation?
History suggests that though the players and the setting may change, some things will remain the same. We can look forward to continuing suspense, mystery, drama, comedy and tragedy in this participatory production, the governance of our nation.